PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has approved several other proposals of the sports and youth affairs department, including the grant of soft loans to skilled youth in the province.

The development came during a meeting of the sports and youth affairs department at the Chief Minister’s House.

The proposals presented in the meeting were meant to promote self-employment in the province, according to an official statement.

It added that the government had decided to launch a youth entrepreneurship programme under which soft loans would be provided to skilled youth to enable them to start their own businesses.

He also grants approval to youth entrepreneurship, education programmes

Initially, Rs1 billion soft loans will be provided to the “clusters” of skilled youth and not individuals, with every cluster entitled to a loan from Rs2 million to Rs10 million, according to the statement.

Mr Gandapur, who chaired the meeting,also approved the launch of the youth skill development and employment programme and directed authorities to ensure that youth from all districts benefit from the initiative.

He added that the quota of every district should be allocated according to its population.

“Under the programme, initially 20,000 youth will be imparted with specialised technical and vocational training. It will also be an integral part of the program to ensure that the youth being trained under this programme are employed in the country and abroad,” read the statement.

The chief minister also approved the Youth Education Programme for the provision of “merit-based” scholarships in information technology, modern technical, and digital sectors, as well as the establishment of an incubation centre and e-learning facility, the start of career counseling services, and the provision of the local youth’s access to educational institutions worldwide.

Certifications in advanced courses of digital skills and the provision of merit-based internships in market-driven disciplines are also part of the programme.

Mr Gandapur ordered the development of playgrounds in the tehsil headquarters and said in the first phase, available government lands should be utilised for the purpose.

“All such sites should be notified as playgrounds immediately,” he told authorities.

He added that the deputy commissioners should identify suitable lands for playgrounds in the other tehsils.

The chief minister also ordered the development of a plan for promoting polo and other traditional games of the province, as well as the immediate development of a provincial polo team for participation in the upcoming polo festival.

He said all necessary arrangements should be made for holding a horse and cattle show in the provincial capital this year.

“There is a need for pragmatic steps to promote tent pegging, archery, horse riding, swimming, and other traditional games of the province. We [KP] are rich in traditional games, which require branding in an effective manner,” he said.

Mr Gandapur ordered the speedy completion of work at the Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar and said the funds required for it would be provided on priority.

He also directed authorities to ensure the early completion of development projects, including Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, Dera Ismail Khan Sports Complex, and Kalam Cricket Stadium, and said available resources should be utilised in a judicious and useful manner.

The chief minister also said the sports projects should also be made part of the development portfolio assisted by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He said there should be a special focus on the promotion of sports and other recreational activities in the merged tribal districts.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2024